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Differential psychology is concerned with the study of individual differences in humans. The science of psychology studies people at three levels of focus captured by the well known quote: “Every man is in certain respects (a) like all other men, (b) like some other men, (c) like no other man" (Murray, H.A. & C. Kluckhohn, 1953). Differential psychology focuses on this second level of study.

For example, think of a group of students taking a typing test. Some students will work very slowly, typing fewer sentences, but making few errors. Other students will work very quickly, typing much more while making more errors. This is an example of an individual difference in speed/accuracy tradeoffs. Some individuals will work fast with lots of errors and others will work slowly with few errors, even when they are given the same instructions.